Sunday, June 17, 2012

Alwar Day One

After checking into our hotel we quickly made our way to Om Prakash’s pottery shop about 20 minutes away. He learned pottery from his father and was trained in one of the SDS programs started by Mrs. Lall on increasing skill for decoration and marketing. He now operates a business that has won awards and is attracting global demand: http://ramgarhclaypottery.com/index.php

His story is incredible and he was very welcoming, patient, and kind in our visit. We went to the location of his home/business and toured the different areas for clay, wheels, and the massive kiln while meeting some of his family, employees and their families.

Om and his kiln!

Note:Just in case you are unaware: These kids aren't sad. I'm
assuming it's a cultural thing for them to not smile because
they were all cracking up and playing with me like 30 seconds
before this shot. I've noticed a lot of the woman try to keep
a straight face when I'm taking pics too..some more successful
than others to my delight :)

I failed miserably twice even with his kind and patient direction, but it was rather overwhelming since there was a large crowd of workers, journalists, and friends gathered around me!! I would almost have it and then my finger would slip and it would collapse. I laughed and said, “Oh well! I tried” and the crowd laughed and began chattering as they prepared for someone else to try. Still crouched on the dirt floor with clay covered hands I looked over to Om and said “Danyabad” (thankyou) and he looked at me with an intense seriousness and quietly said, “It doesn’t only take skill, it takes confidence.” I nodded to which he smiled, and I made my way up through the commotion of the crowd to let Leah have her turn. She made a beautiful pot with his incredible tutelage and we all laughed some more as I stood reflecting on his words. Why is it that India and its people always have lessons for you? It seems sometimes that the people here can see my spirit and reflect it back...as though it is their responsibility to strengthen my spirit for life. And so I stood absorbing this while standing in a sweltering room on the dirt floor of a rural Indian family business, as children ducked, hid, giggled and ran around me. Truthfully I don't know that I'd trust this kind of training from anywhere else :)